THE  GIFT  OF 

FLORENCE  V.  V.  DICKEY 

TO  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT  LOS  ANGELES 


THE  DONALD  R.  DICKEY 

LIBRARY 
OF  VERTEBRATE  ZOOLOGY 


8061  Y 


d 

°Joqd 


ANNOTATED   LIST 


BIRDS  OF  OiiDACoom.p, 


AND    ITS    IMMEDIATE    VICINITY. 


BY  WM.  L.  RALPH,  M.  D.,  AND  EGBERT  BAGG. 


[From  the  Transactions  of  the  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Vol.  Ill,  page  101 :    1886.] 


ANNOTATED    LIST 


BIRDS  OFOllDAijOONTY.tY., 


AND    ITS    IMMEDIATE    VICINITY. 


BY  WM.  L.  RALPH,  M.  D.,  AND  EGBERT  BAGG. 


[From  the  Transactions  of  the  Oneida  Historical  Society,  Vol.  Ill,  page  101 :    1886.] 


UTICA,  N.  Y. 
ELUS  H.  ROBERTS  &  Co.,  PRINTERS. 

1886. 


QL 


r  / 


13 


ANNOTATED  LIST  OF 

THE  BIRDS  OF  ONEIDA  COUNTY,  NEW  YORK, 
AND  OF  ITS  IMMEDIATE  VICINITY. 

[Read  before  the  Society  April  26, 1886.] 

WITH  THE  ADDITION   OF  OBSERVATIONS  MADE  DURING  THE  BREEDING  SEASON 
OF  1886. 


BY    WILLIAM   L.    EALPH,    M.    D.,  AND 

EGBERT   BAGG, 
Associate  Member  A.  O.  U. 


The  location  of  the  County  of  Oneida  is  of  first  importance 
when  considering  its  Bird  Fauna.  Almost  in  the  centre  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  of  irregular  outline,  approaching  in  shape  a  heart,  with 
one  lobe  resting  on  Oneida  Lake,  the  other  in  the  great  northern 
wilderness,  and  the  point  far  down  toward  the  head-waters  of  the 
Susquehanna,  it  is  on  the  very  edge  of  the  great  island  which  ages 
ago  rose  above  the  continental  sea  in  northern  New  York;  and 
from  the  Eozoic  in  the  northeast  corner,  a  line  drawn  in  a  southerly 
direction  across  the  County,  cuts  outcroppings  of  almost  all  the 
rocks,  through  the  Lower  Silurian,  the  Upper  Silurian,  and  as  far 
as  the  Portage  and  Chemung  Groups  in  the  Devonian. 

It  is  traversed  from  east  to  west  by  a  broad  and  fertile  valley, 
containing  the  head-waters  of  the  Mohawk  and  of  Wood  Creek, 
and  between  them  the  old  " carry "  of  the  early  boatmen;  the 
summit  between  the  Hudson  and  the  Great  Lakes.  From  this  valley 
the  ground  rises  into  gentle  hills  in  both  directions,  only  to  fall 
away  again  to  the  sources  of  the  Black  River  on  the  north  and 
of  the  Chenango  and  the  Unadilla  on  the  south.  Thus  the  County 
contains  the  sources  of  rivers  flowing  to  all  four  points  of  the 
compass.  The  Black  river  to  the  north,  the  Oneida  to  the  west ; 
both  finding  their  way  through  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Atlantic. 
The  Mohawk  to  the  east,  and  the  Chenango  and  Unadilla  to  the 
south  ;  the  former  through  the  Hudson,  and  the  latter  through  the 
Susquehanna,  reaching  the  same  destination. 

The  rain  fall,  though  we  are  unable  to  give  the  figures,  is  large, 
and  the  temperature  is  not  only  low  in  average,  but  is  extremely 

550721 


102  ANNOTATED   LIST   OF 

variable,  especially  in  winter ;  changes  of  sixty  degrees  Fahrenheit 
within  twenty-four  hours  occurring  in  almost  every  season. 

In  a  general  way,  the  climate  may  be  said  to  be  favorable  to  a 
heavy  growth  of  timber,  and  in  fact  of  all  vegetation ;  but  with 
the  exception  of  the  northern  part  of  the  County,  the  soil  is  culti- 
vated so  completely  that  but  little  of  the  native  forest  remains. 
With  such  location,  topography  and  climate,  we  should  naturally 
expect  to  find  the  fauna  "  Canadian  "  rather  than  "  Alleghanian," 
especially  when  we  observe  in  our  woods  the  absence  of  the  tulip 
and  the  chestnut,  common  in  the  same  parallel  of  latitude  a  short 
distance  west  of  us;  and  we  miss  the  whistle  of  "Bob  White," 
and  the  mournful  call  of  the  "  Common  Dove,"  which  are  not 
uncommon  sounds  a  comparatively  few  miles  away. 

Instead,  our  woods  are  largely  made  up  of  maple,  beech  and 
conifers,  and  we  find  breeding  within  our  limits,  such  strictly 
Canadian  birds  as  the  Golden-eye  Duck,  the  White-throated  Spar- 
row, the  Canadian  Fly-catching  Warbler,  the  Winter  Wren,  and 
both  the  Hermit  and  Swainson's  Thrushes.  The  list,  however, 
shows  some  birds  far  removed  from  "Canadian,"  and  perhaps 
further  investigation  in  the  southern  part  of  the  County  might 
add  more. 

We  beg  to  acknowledge  our  obligations  to  C.  Hart  Merriam, 
M.  D.,  of  the  Division  of  Economic  Ornithology  and  Mammalogy, 
U.  S.  Department  of  Agriculture,  who  kindly  reviewed  the  list 
while  in  the  rough,  and  made  several  valuable  additions ;  to  Messrs. 
A.  L.  Brainard,  of  Oneida,  and  A.  Ames  Hewlett,  of  Syracuse,  for 
information  regarding  the  occurrence  of  birds  at  Oneida  Lake ;  and 
to  several  others,  who  are  properly  credited  in  the  appropriate 
places. 

The  list  is  not  put  forth  as  complete.  It  is  the  work  of  several 
years,  but  there  are  many  parts  of  the  County  which  we  have 
scarcely  visited.  • 

We  have  included  quite  a  number  of  birds  for  which  we  have 
no  positive  Oneida  County  record,  having  found  them  in  the 
neighboring  counties,  and  having  no  doubt  of  their  occurrence  in 
this.  In  all  such  cases  we  give  the  location  of  the  record,  and  to 
cover  such  extra- limital  records  we  have  called  this  paper  "  A  List 
of  the  Birds  of  Oneida  County  and  its  Immediate  Vicinity." 
Only  those  birds  are  given  as  breeding,  for  which  we  have  positive 
records,  though  it  may  fairly  be  assumed  that  all  those  given  as 
"  summer  residents  "  nest. 


THE    BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  103 

We  submit  the  list  to  our  bird-loving  friends,  for  what  it  is 
worth,  only  adding  in  conclusion,  that  every  item  of  which  we 
have  not  personal  knowledge,  is  so  given,  with  our  authority;  and 
that  our  principal  effort  has  been,  not  to  make  the  list  as  large  as 
possible,  but  to  make  it  positively  accurate. 

WILLIAM  L.  RALPH,  M.  D., 
EGBEKT  BAGG. 
UTICA,  N.  Y.,  September  1st,  1886. 


LIST. 

1.    Colymbus  holbcellii  (REINH.).  2. 

Ilolborll's  Grebe. 

A  female,  taken  out  of  a  flock  of  five  or  six,  on  the  Mohawk  in 

1867. 


2.    Colymbus  auritus  LINN.  3. 

Horned  Grebe. 

A  not  uncommon  migrant.     "  Common  in  Lewis,  Herkimer  and 
Hamilton  Counties,  in  fall  migrations." — (Merriam.) 


3.    Podilymbus  podiceps  (LINN.). 

Pied-billed  Grebe. 


Not  uncommon.     See  Galinula  galeata. 


4.    Urinator  imber  (Qura.).  7. 

Loon. 

Common  at   Oneida  Lake.    One  taken  near   TJtica.      Common 
summer  resident  in  Herkimer  and  Hamilton  Counties.     Breeds. 


104  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

5.    Stercorarms  parasiticus  (LINN.).  37. 

Parasitic  Jaeger. 

A  young  specimen  of  this  bird  was  taken  August  22,  1886,  on 
Joe's  Lake,  Herkimer  County,  by  Mr.  W.  P.  Shepard.  The  bird 
was  seen  to  alight  on  the  lake,  and  apparently  exhausted  with  a 
long  journey,  allowed  itself  to  be  approached  in  a  boat  and  killed 
with  a  paddle. 


6.  Larus  argentatus  smithsonianus  COUES.  51a. 

American  Herring  Gull. 

Occurs  occasionally  throughout  the  County.  A  common  migrant 
at  Oneida  Lake.  Common  summer  resident  in  Herkimer  and 
Hamilton  Counties;  breeding  occasionally  at  Joe's  Lake;  and 
almost  always  up  to  a  few  years  ago,  on  Canachagala  Lake,  in 
large  numbers ;  and  for  many  years  on  the  West  Canada  Lakes. 

7.  Lams  Philadelphia  (ORD).  60. 

Bonaparte's  Gull. 

A  common  migrant  at  Oneida  Lake,  where  the  local  name  is 
"Black  head  gull."  Eight  of  these  birds  out  of  a  flock  of  about 
fifty  were  killed  on  the  Utica  Water  Works  Reservoir  in  1879. 

8.  Sterna  hirundo  LINN.  70. 

Common  Tern. 

Of  rare  occurrence  on  Oneida  Lake.  In  the  spring  of  1885  one 
was  killed  at  Upper  South  Bay  by  Mr.  Henry  Loftie,  who  has  the 
bird  mounted  and  preserved.  Mr.  George  D.  Chapin  of  the  same 
place,  also  reports  the  bird  as  seen,  being  very  tame,  and  following 
the  boat  for  quite  a  long  time. 

9.  Sterna  antillaram  (LESS.).  74. 

Least  Tern. 

Mr.  F.  J.  Davis  killed  a  bird  of  this  species  on  the  "  Capron 
Pond,"  so  called,  in  town  of  New  Hartford,  a  few  years  ago. 


THE    BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  105 

1 0.    Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinamensis  (GMEL.).  77. 

Black  Tern. 

Several  observed  in  the  fall  of  1885  at  Oneida  Lake,  by  Mr.  A. 
A.  Howlett,  of  Syracuse ;  though  he  did  not  secure  them,  he  is 
familiar  with  the  species,  and  thinks  there  can  be  no  mistake.  As 
they  have  been  killed  on  Onondaga  Lake  there  is  no  reasonable 
doubt  of  this  identification. 


11.  Phalacrocorax  carbo  (LINN  ).  119. 

Cormorant. 

One  killed  at  Oneida  Lake,  was  mounted  by  A.  L.  Brainard,  of 
Oneida.  The  Rathbun-Fowler  List,  published  at  Auburn,  records 
one  killed  at  "  Upper  South  Bay,"  Oneida  Lake,  by  Mr.  Edward 
H.  Mann,  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  which  is  mounted  and  preserved  in 
the  rooms  of  the  Onondaga  Sportsmen's  Club  of  that  city. 

12.  Merganser  americanus  (CASS.).  139. 

American  Merganser. 

A  not  uncommon  migrant. 


13.  Merganser  serrator  (LINK.).  130. 

Red-breasted  Merganser. 

"A   common   summer    resident   throughout   the   Adirondacks. 
Much  more  abundant  than  the  Sheldrake." — (Merriam.) 

14.  Lophodytes  cucullatus  (LINN.).  131. 

Hooded  Merganser. 
A  common  migrant. 


15.    Anas  boschas  LINN.  132. 

Mallard. 

A  common  migrant. 


106  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

16.    Anas  obscura  QMEL.  138. 

Black  Duck. 

A  common  migrant.  Common  summer  resident  in  Herkimer 
and  Hamilton  Counties,  breeding  more  plentifully  than  any  other 
Duck. 


17.    Anas  strepera  LINN.  135. 

Gadwall. 

Two  killed  April,  1884,  and  one  October,  1885,  at  Oneida  Lake, 
by  Mr.  A.  A  Hewlett,  of  Syracuse,  and  several  killed  at  the  same 
place  by  Mr.  N.  Wood,  of  Brewerton. 


18.    Anas  americana  GMEL.  137. 

Baldpate. 

"A  not  uncommon  migrant." — (Jfowlett.) 


19.    Anas  carolinensis  GMELIN.  139. 

Green-winged  Teal. 

A  common  migrant. 


20.    Anas  discors  LINN.  140. 

Bine-winged  Teal. 

A  common  migrant.     A  few  probably  breed,  as  quite  young 
birds  are  occasionally  shot. 


21.    Spatula  clypeata  (LINN.).  143. 

Shoveller. 

One  shot  and  another  seen  near  Utica,  April  19th,  1884.     Two 
killed  September,  1879,  at  Oneida  Lake,  by  Mr.  A.  A.  Hewlett. 


THE   BIRDS    OP   ONEIDA    COUNTY.  10 V 

22.  Dafila  acuta  (LINN.).  143. 

Pintail. 

A  common  migrant. 

23.  Aix  sponsa  (LINN.).  144. 

Wood  Duck. 

A  common   migrant.     "  A   few   remain  to  breed  near  Oneida 
Lake."—  (Brainard.) 

24.  Aythya  americana  (EYT.).  146. 

Redhead. 

A  migrant  at  Oneida  Lake.     A  female  shot  near  Utica. 


25.    Aythya  vallisneria  (WILS.).  147. 

Canvas-back. 

A.  L.  Brainard,  of  Oneida,  has  mounted  one   specimen  killed 
at  the  Lake. 


26.  Aythya  marila  nearctica  STEJN.  148. 

American  Scaup  Dnck. 

A  common  migrant. 

27.  Aythya  affinis  (Eyt.).  149. 

Lesser  Scaup  Duck. 

Migrant ;  more  common  than  the  preceding. 

28.  Glaucionetta  clangula  americana  (BONAP.).  151. 

American  Golden-eye. 

A  common   migrant.     Summer   resident   in   Hamilton  County. 
Broods  of  young  birds  were  seen  in  June,  1878  and  1879. 


108  ANNOTATED   LIST   OF 

29.    Charitonetta  albeola  (LINN.).  153. 

Baffle-bead. 

A  common  migrant. 


30.    Clangula  hyemalis  (LINN.).  154. 

Old-squaw. 

A  rare  migrant.     One  taken  at  TJtica  October  27th,  1881. 


31.    Somateria  spectabilis  (LINN.).  162. 

King  Elder. 

"  A  rare   migrant.     Several  have  been  killed  on  Oneida  Lake." 
(Brainard.) 


32.    Oidemia  americana  Sw.  &  RICH.  163. 

American  Scoter. 

Occurs  occasionally.     "  Shot  at  Lyons  Falls  and  in  the  Adiron- 
dacks." — (Merriam. ) 


33.    Oidemia  deglandi  BONAP.  165. 

White-twinged  Scoter. 

Two  taken  at  Utica  in  the  fall  of  1881.     Common  at  Oneida 
Lake. 


34.    Oidemia  perspicillata  (LINN.J.  166. 

Surf  Scoter. 

A  specimen  of  this  bird  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  A.  L.  Brainard, 
of  Oneida,  was  killed  at  the  lake  in  the  fall  of  1884. 


THE    BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  109 

35.    Erismatura  rubida  (WILS.).  167. 

Ruddy  Duck. 

"Rather  common  migrant  at  Oneida  Lake." — (Brainard  and 
Howlett.) 


36.    Branta  canadensis  (LINN.).  172. 

Canada  Goose. 

A  common  migrant. 


37.    Olor  columbianus  (OKD).  180. 

AVIiistliiiir  Swan. 

DeKay,  in  the  Natural  History  of  New  York,  Part  II,  says : 
"  In  the  uninhabited  regions  of  Herkimer  and  Hamilton  Counties, 
in  this  State,  this  species,  as  I  was  informed  by  trustworthy 
hunters,  remains  during  the  whole  year,  where  it  must  necessarily 
breed.  The  outlet  of  Lake  Paskungameh,  or  Tupper's  Lake,  was 
specified  as  a  spot  to  which  they  were  particularly  attached." 
Several  swans,  undoubtedly  this  species,  have  been  killed  on 
Oneida  Lake. 


38.    Botaurus  lentiginosus  (MONTAG.).  190. 

American  Bittern. 

A  common  summer  resident. 


39.    Ardea  herodias  LINN.  194. 

Great  Blue  Heron. 

A  common  summer  resident.  "Breeds  near  the  western  end  of 
Oneida  Lake." — (Northrup  in  Ornithologist  and  Oologist,  Vol.  X^ 
Page  11.) 


110  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

40.    Ardea  egretta  GMEL.  196. 

American  Egert. 

A  specimen  of  this  handsome  bird,  a  straggler  from  the  South, 
was  taken  by  Mr.  A  H.  Eysaman,  of  Eatonville,  N.  Y.,  in  the 
spring  of  1882,  in  the  town  of  Herkimer,  Herkimer  County.  He 
reports  that  there  were  six  of  these  birds  in  a  flock,  and  that  they 
remained  in  the  vicinity  about  a  mouth,  but  only  one  was  secured. 
The  bird  was  mounted  and  preserved.  Messrs.  J.  P.  &  F.  J.  Davis, 
taxidermists,  of  Utica,  mounted  a  specimen  several  years  ago, 
which  was  killed  in  the  town  of  Deerfield,  on  the  river  flats. 


41.    Ardea  virescens  LINN.  201. 

Green  Heron. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


42.     Nycticorax  nycticorax  nsevius  (BODD.).  202. 

Black-crowned  Night  Heron. 

A  young  female  shot  near  Utica,  August  12th,  1878.  Mr.  A  L. 
Brainard,  of  Oneida,  also  had  a  young  bird  brought  to  him  to 
mount. 


43.    Gms  mexicana  (MULL.).  206. 

Sandhill  Crane. 

Messrs.  J.  P.  &  F.  J.  Davis,  taxidermists,  Utica,  mounted  for  a 
Mr.  Catwell,  of  New  York  Mills,  a  specimen  of  this  bird,  which 
was  taken  in  that  village  in  the  year  1873.  , 


44.    Ralhis  virginianus  LINK.  212. 

Virginia  Rail. 

Not  uncommon. 


THE    BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  Ill 

45.    Porzana  Carolina  (LINN.).  214. 

Sora. 

A  summer  resident.     Breeds.     More  common  during  migrations. 


46.    Porzana  noveboracensis  (GMEL.).  215. 

Yellow  Rail. 

One  taken  near  Utica  October  3d.  1883. 


47.    G-allinula  galeata  (LICHT.).  219. 

Florida  Gallluule. 

Two  have  been  taken  near  Utica.  Occasional  at  Oneida  Lake. 
Very  common  on  the  marshes  of  the  Seneca  River,  where  they  are 
called  "Water  chickens,"  and  where  they  breed  in  great  numbers. 
June  4th,  IS'79,  a  nest  was  found  containing  four  eggs.  June 
5th,  at  eleven  A.  M.,  it  contained  six  eggs.  The  same  day  at  five 
p.  M.,  there  were  nine  eggs,  when  the  female,  or  one  of  them,  was 
killed.  The  same  month  an  old  bird,  followed  by  a  brood  of 
young,  was  observed  leaving  her  nest,  which  on  examination  was 
found  to  contain  one  egg  of  this  species  and  two  of  the  Podilymbus 
podiceps,  all  with  chicks  peeping  in  them.  It  was  impossible  to 
distinguish  which  of  the  two  species  the  old  bird  was ;  but  from 
these  observations  it  seems  positive  that  this  bird  not  only  shares 
its  nest  with  its  own  species,  but  sometimes  with  the  Grebe  also. 


48.    Fulica  americana  GMEL.  221. 

American  Coot. 

One  taken  at  Utica.     "  Common  at  Oneida  Lake." — (Brainard.} 


49.    Phalaropus  lobatus  (LINN.). 

Northern  Phalarope. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1881,  a  specimen  of  this  bird  was  taken 
in  the  town  of  Westmoreland,  in  this  odd  manner.     It  was  first 


112  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

observed  swimming  about  like  a  duck,  in  a  little  pond  made  by 
the  melting  snow  and  the  spring  rain,  and  catching  insects  which 
were  swimming  on  the  surface  of  the  water.  The  bird  being  a 
strange  one  to  the  gentleman  who  observed  it,  it  was  watched 
closely  for  some  time,  but  as  there  was  no  means  at  hand  to  cap- 
ture it,  the  gentleman  finally  went  about  his  work,  which  was  near 
at  hand,  till  his  attention  was  again  attracted  by  the  loud  outcries 
of  the  bird ;  and  on  hastening  to  the  pond  he  found  that  the  bird 
had  been  kindly  captured  for  him  by  a  large  bullfrog,  which  was 
trying  to  swallow  it.  He  killed  the  frog  and  secured  the  bird, 
which  shortly  died  from  the  rough  treatment  it  had  received.  It 
was  then  presented  to  Mrs.  M.  T.  Brown,  of  Hecla,  who  mounted 
it  herself  and  preserved  it. 


50.    Phalaropus  tricolor  (VIBILL.).  224. 

Wilson's  PIi  alar  o  ye. 

A  specimen  of  this  bird  was  shot  near  the  eastern  end  of  Oneida 
Lake,  October  6th,  1883,  by  Mr.  Morgan  K.  Barnum,  of  Syracuse. 
When  first  observed  the  bird  was  swimming  upon  the  surface  of  the 
Lake. 


51.    Philohela  minor  (GMEL.).  228. 

American  Woodcock. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


52.    G-allinago  delicata  (Quo). 

Wilson's  Snipe. 

A  common  migrant ;  not  so  abundant  as  formerly. 


53.    Macrorhamphus  griseus  (GMEL.).  231. 

Dowltcher. 

Two  birds  of  this   species  were  shot  near  the  eastern  end  of 
Oneida  Lake,  September  22d,  1883,  by  Mr.  Morgan  K.  Barnum  of 


THE   BIKDS    OF   (MTEIDA    COITNTY.  113 

Syracuse.  The  same  day  he  is  confident  he  saw  a  flock  of  this  snipe, 
containing,  as  well  as  he  could  judge,  about  fifteen.  The  two 
killed  were  single  birds.  Two  shot  at  Oneida  Lake,  in  1880,  by 
Mr.  A.  A.  Hewlett,  of  Syracuse. 


54.    Tringa  maculata  VIEILL.  239. 

Pectoral  Sandpiper. 

Quite  common  at  times  during  migrations. 


55.    Tringa  fuscicollis  VIEILL.  240. 

White-ramped  Sandpiper. 

Three  taken  at  Utica,  October  27th,  1881. 


56.    Tringa  minutilla  VIEILL.  242. 

Least  Sandpiper. 

Several  taken  at  Utica  in  the  fall  of  1881. 


57.     Tringa  alpina  pacifica  (CotTEs).  243a. 

Red-backed  Sandpiper. 

One  taken  at  Utica,  October  27th,   1881.     Several   at  Oneida 
Lake,  October  5th,  1881. 


58.    Ereunetes  pusillus  (LINN.).  246. 

Semlpalmated  Sandpiper. 

Common  at  Oneida  Lake  during  migrations. 


114  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

59.    Calidris  arenaria  (LINN.).  248. 

Sanderllng. 

Common  at  Oueida  Lake  during  migrations. 


60.    Totamis  melanoleucus  (GMEL.).  254. 

Greater  Yello 


Not  uncommon  during  migrations. 


61.    Totanus  flavipes  (GMEL.).  355. 

Yellow-legs. 

A  common  migrant. 


62.    Totanus  solitarius  (WILS.).  256. 

Solitary  Sandpiper. 

A  common  migrant ;  remaining  till  quite  late  in  the  spring.     A 
pair  taken  May  15th.  1874. 


63.    Bartramia  longicauda  (BECHST.).  261. 

Bartramlan  Sandpiper. 

A  rather  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


64.    Actitis  macularia  (LINN.). 

Spotted  Sandpiper. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


THE    BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  115 

65.    Numenius  longirostris  WILS  264. 

Long-billed  Curlew. 

Mr.  A.  A,  Hewlett,  of  Syracuse,  reports,  that  October  5th,  1880, 
at  Oneida  Lake,  a  flock  passed  near  enough  to  give  him  a  shot,  and 
though  he  did  not  secure  any,  he  is  positive  of  their  identification, 
being  familiar  with  them  and  with  the  other  curlews. 


66.    Charadrius  squatarola  (LINK.).  270. 

Black-bellied  Plover. 

Three  taken  at  Oneida  Lake  in  September,  1879,  by  Mr.  A.  A. 
Hewlett,  of  Syracuse. 


67.    Charadrius  dominions  MULL.  272. 

American  Golden  Plover. 

A  common  migrant  at  Oneida  Lake. 


68.    ^gialitis  vocifera  (LINN.).  273. 

Killdccr. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


69.    jEgialitis  semipalmata  BONAP.  274 

Semlpalmated  Plover. 

Common  on  Oneida  Lake  during  migrations. 


70.    ^Egialitis  wilsonia  (OBD).  280. 

Wilson's  Plover. 

One  shot  near  Upper  South  Bay,  Oneida  Lake,  in  1880,  by  Mr. 
A.  A.  Howlett,  of  Syracuse. 


116  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

71.    Arenaria  interpres  (LINN.).  283. 

Turnstone. 

One  of  this  species  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Maxon,  of  Oneida, 
was  killed  at  Verona  several  years  ago. 


72.    Dendragapus  canadensis  (LINN.).  2S 

Canada  Grouse. 

Messrs.  J.  P.  &  F.  J.  Davis,  taxidermists,  Utica,  mounted 
pair  of  these  birds  killed  in  the  town  of  Greig,  Lewis  County. 


73.    Bonasa  umbellus  (LINN.).  300. 

Ruffed  Grouse. 

A  common  resident.     Breeds. 


74.    Lagopus  lagopus  (LINN.).  301. 

Willow  Ptarmigan. 

"  Mr.  Romey  n  B.  Hough  has  a  specimen  of  this  species  that  was 
killed  in  the  town  of  Watson,  on  the  eastern  border  of  Lewis 
County,  May  22d,  1876."— (Merriam.  Preliminary  List  of  the 
Birds  of  the  Adirondack  Region.) 


75.    Ectopistes  migratorius  (LINN.).  315. 

Passenger  Pigeon. 

A  common  migrant  till  within  a  few  years,  but  is  now  less 
common  than  formerly.  Breeds  in  Herkimer  and  Hamilton 
Counties. 


THE    BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  117 

76.    Zenaidura  macroura  (LINN.).  316. 

mourning  Dove. 

Messrs.  J.  P.  &  F.  J.  Davis,  taxidermists,  of  Utica,  report  that 
they  mounted  a  specimen  of  this  bird,  some  time  ago,  which  was 
killed  in  Herkimer  County. 


77.    Cathartes  aura.  (LINN.).  325. 

Turkey  Vulture. 

In  May,  1879,  Mr.  Lavello  J.  Groves,  of  Westmoreland,  shot  a 
bird  of  this  species  in  that  Town,  and  had  it  mounted  and  preserved. 
When  first  seen  the  bird  was  in  company  with  three  others,  in  a 
small  grove.  (Recorded,  Auk.  Vol.  Il^page  109.) 


78.    Circus  hudsonius  (LINN.).  331. 

Marsh  Hawk. 

A  few  seen  every  year.  The  birds  have  been  seen  on  Frankfort 
Hill  during  breeding  season,  and  a  fanner  residing  there,  reports 
that  while  mowing,  his  machine  cut  off  the  heads  of  two  young 
hawks  in  a  nest  on  the  ground.  These  could  have  been  nothing 
but  this  species. 


79.    Accipiter  velox  (WILB.). 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk. 

Seen  occasionally.     Breeds.     A  nest  taken  on  Frankfort  Hill 
few  years  ago.    Two  young  birds  shot  September  18th,  1879. 


80.    Accipiter  cooperi  (BONAP.).  333. 

Cooper's  Hawk. 

Quite  common  in  some  parts  of  the  County.     Breeds. 


118  ANNOTATED    LIST   OF 

81.    Accipiter  atricapillus  (WUA).  334. 

American  Goshawk. 

A  specimen  of  this  bird  was  shot  by  the  late  George  H.  Ferris, 
on  the  Deerfield  Hills  some  years  ago.  He  was  hunting  grouse  in 
the  thick  brush  and  wearing  a  fur  cap,  when  the  hawk,  undoubtedly 
mistaking  this  head  covering  for  some  small  animal,  swooped  upon 
it ;  but  discovered  its  mistake  before  striking,  and  swerving  to  one 
side,  passed  close  to  Mr.  Ferns'  head,  and  rising  among  the  trees, 
immediately  lit,  and  was  shot  from  its  perch.  The  bird  was 
mounted  and  preserved. 


82.    Buteo  borealis  (GMKL.)-  337. 

Red-tailed  Hawk. 

Common.     Breeds. 


83-    Buteo  lineatus  (GMEL.).  339. 

Red-shouldered  Hawk. 

By  far  the  most  common  of  our  Hawks.     Breeding  plentifully. 


84.    Buteo  latissimus  (WILS.).  343. 

Broad-winged  Hawk. 

Not  common.     Breeds.     Nest  taken  April  24th,  1883,  by  Dr. 
Langworthy,  of  New  Hartford,  in  that  Town. 


85.    Arohibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis  (GMEL.).  347a. 

American  Rough-legged  Hawk. 

Not  uncommon  spring  and  fall. 


THE    BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  119 

86.    Aquila  chrysaetos  (LINN.).  349. 

Golden   Eagle. 

A  fine  specimen  of  this  magnificent  bird   was  shot  near  Frank- 
fort, Herkimer  County,  October  23d,  1885. 


87.    Haliaeetus  leucocephahis  (LINN.). 

Bald  Eagle. 

A  common  resident  on  Oneida  Lake. 


88.    Falco  columbarius  LINN.  357. 

Pigeon  Hawk. 

Messrs.  J.  P.  &  F.  J.  Davis,  taxidermists,  Utica,  state  that  they 
have  had  several  birds  of  this  species  to  mount  during  spring  and 
fall. 


89.    Falco  sparrerius  LINN. 

American  Sparrow  Hawk. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


90.    Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  (GMEL.).  364. 

American  Osprey. 

Not  uncommon. 


91.    Asio  wilsonianus  (LESS.). 

American  Long-eared  Owl, 

A  common  resident.     Breeds. 


120  ANNOTATED    LIST  *OF 

92.    Asio  accipitriims  (PALL.).  367. 

Short-eared  Owl. 

Not  uncommon  spring  and  fall.     A  few  taken  near  Utica  every 
year. 


93.    Syrnmm  nebulosum  (FORST.). 

Barred  Owl. 

A  not  uncommon  resident.  One  flew  against  a  gentleman  in  one 
of  the  streets  of  the  closely  built  part  of  this  city,  grasping  his 
clothes  with  its  claws,  was  struck  down  with  his  fist  and  killed 
with  a  stone.  This  may  have  been  a  wounded  bird  which  had 
escaped  from  confinement,  but  even  if  that  were  the  case,  the 
object  of  the  attack,  if  it  can  be  so  called,  is  a  mystery. 


94.    Ulula  cinerea  (GMEL.).  370. 

Great  Gray  Owl. 

"  A  rare  straggler  from  the  North." — (Merriam.) 
Messrs.  J.  P.   &  F.  J.   Davis,  taxidermists,  Utica,  mounted  a 
specimen  of  *  this  owl,  killed  in  the  town  of  Marcy,  in  February, 

1875. 


95.    Nyctala  acadica  (GMEL.).  372. 

Saw-whet  Owl. 

This  interesting  little  owl  is  not  very  uncommon  in  some  parts  of 
the  County.  In  the  neighborhood  of  Holland  Patent,  seven  or 
eight  individuals  have  been  under  careful  surveillance  this  spring 
(1886).  The  result  of  a  good  deal  of  hard  work  in  exceedingly 
unpleasant  weather,  has  been  the  finding  of  four  nests.  The  first 
was  found  March  12th,  at  which  time  it  contained  nothing;  was 
visited  again  March  25th — still  empty.  But  on  April  5th  it  con- 
tained six  eggs.  Being  left  till  the  seventh,  the  complement  was 
found  to  be  seven  eggs.  It  was  situated  in  high  and  dry  woods  of 
hardwood  timber,  with  a  few  hemlocks,  about  five  rods  from  the 


THE    BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  121 

open  field,  in  a  deserted  woodpecker's  hole  in  a  dead  maple  stub, 
twenty-two  feet  from  the  ground.  This  hole  had  been  left  by  the 
original  woodpeckers  at  least  two  seasons,  for  in  1885  it  contained 
a  nest  of  flying  squirrels.  The  entrance  was  round,  and  about 
two  inches  in  diameter,  just  such  a  size  that  the  head  of  the  bird, 
exactly  filled  it,  so  that  as  she  looked  out,  she  presented  very  much 
the  appearance  of  an  owl's  face  fastened  against  the  side  of  the  stub. 
The  hole  was  a  foot  deep,  and  eight  inches  in  diameter  at  the  bottom. 
There  was  no  nest  except  small  chips  of  rotten  wood  and  a  few 
owl's  feathers.  The  bird  would  not  leave  the  nest  till  she  was 
threatened  with  the  hand  several  times,  and  then  flew  into  the 
nearest  tree  (a  small  hemlock),  and  sat  there  without  moving  during 
all  the  time  that  her  visitors  remained,  (about  three-quarters  of  an 
hour),  and  no  sooner  was  the  stub  left,  than  she  flew  back  again. 
The  eggs  were  pure  white,  nearly  the  same  size  at  each  end,  and 
averaged  J. 16x0.97  inches.  They  were  variously  advanced  in 
incubation,  though  of  course  none  were  very  far  along.  The 
consistency  of  the  albumen  was  particularly  viscid,  and  the  yolk 
small  and  light  colored. 

The  second  nest  was  found  near  Holland  Patent,  April  21st,  1886, 
in  a  woodpecker's  hole  in  a  stub,  forty  feet  from  the  ground,  con- 
tained five  young,  and  one  egg  just  on  the  point  of  hatching. 

The  third  nest  was  found  the  same  day  about  half  a  mile  below 
Trenton  Falls,  near  the  West  Canada  Creek,  in  an  old  woodpecker's 
hole  in  a  stub,  twenty  feet  from  the  ground.  The  hole  was  nine 
inches  deep,  and  nine  inches  across  inside,  lined  with  a  few 
feathers,  birch  leaves  and  chips.  It  contained  seven  eggs,  nearly 
hatched,  measuring  .97x1.18,  .98x1.18,  .98x1.24,  .98x1.24, 
.98x1.25,  .99x1.21,  3.00x1.23.  The  bird  was  taken  alive  from 
the  nest. 

The  fourth  nest  was  found  April  30th,  1886,  about  one  mile 
north  of  Gang  Mills,  Herkimer  County,  in  a  deserted  woodpecker's 
hole  in  a  stub,  fifty  feet  from  the  ground,  in  a  swamp,  and  con- 
tained seven  eggs  on  the  point  of  hatching. 


96.    Megascops  asio  (LINN.).  373. 

Screech  Owl. 

Not  uncommon.     Breeds. 


122  ANNOTATED    LIST   OF 

97.    Bubo  virginianus  (GMKL.).  375. 

Great  Horned  Owl. 

Not  uncommon.     Breeds. 


98.    Nyctea  nyctea  (LINN.).  376. 

Snowy  Owl. 

A  not  uncommon  winter  visitant. 


99.     Surnia  ulula  caparoch  (MuLL.).  377«. 

American  llu\\  k  Owl. 

Messrs.  J.  P.  &  F.  J.  Davis,  of  TJtica,  have  in  their  possession 
a  mounted  specimen  of  this  owl,  which  was  killed  at  Clark's  Mills 
in  the  winter  of  1885. 


100.    Coccyzus  americanus  (LINN.).  387. 

Yellow- hilled  Cuckoo. 

A  rare  summer  resident.     Breeds.     Nest  taken  in  New  Hartford, 
July,  1884,  by  Dr.  Langworthy,  of  that  Town. 


101.    Coccyzus  erythrophthalmus  (WILS.).  388. 

Black-billed  Cuckoo. 

A  common  summer  resident.  Breeds.  This  species  shows  its 
relationship  to  its  more  famous  European  cousin  by  occasionally 
depositing  an  egg  in  the  nest  of  some  other  bird.  This  has  been 
recorded  by  several  observers  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  and 
we  have  one  record  for  this  County.  On  July  10th,  1874,  a  nest 
of  the  Cedar  Bird  (Ampelis  cedrorum)  was  taken  in  New  Hartford 
which  contained  four  eggs  of  the  owner  and  one  of  this  parasite. 
The  nest  was  deserted,  and  apparently  had  been  for  some  time; 
nor  could  it  be  discovered  that  incubation  had  commenced ;  cer- 
tainly it  had  not  in  the  Cuckoo's  egg.  (Recorded,  Bulletin  Nuttall 
Ornithological  Club,  Vol.  II,  page  110.) 


THE   BIKDS    OF   OjSTEIDA    COUNTY.  123 


102.    Ceryle  alcyon  (LINN.). 

Belted  Kingfisher. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


103.    Dryobates  villosus  (LINN.). 

Hairy  Woodpecker. 

A  rather  common  resident.  ,  Breeds. 


104.    Dryobates  pubescens  (LINN.).  394. 

Downy  "Woodpecker. 

A  common  resident.     Breeds. 


105.    Picoides  arcticus  (SWAINS.).  400. 

Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 

Common  in  Herkimer  and  Hamilton  Counties.     "  Eggs  taken." 
— (Merriam.) 


106.    Picoides  americanus  BREHM.  401. 

American  Three-toed  Woodpecker. 

A  not  uncommon  resident  in  Herkimer  and  Hamilton  Counties. 


107.    Sphyrapicus  varius  (LINN.). 

Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


124  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

108.    Ceophloeus  pileatus  (LINN.).  405. 

Plleated  Woodpecker. 

Rather   rare   in    Herkimer   and   Hamilton   Counties,  but   more 
common  than  formerly.     Young  bird  shot  August  17th,  1884. 


109.    Melanerpes  erythrocephalus  (LINN.).  406. 

Ked-headed  Woodpecker. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds.     A  nest  taken  within  the 
limits  of  the  City  of  Utica. 


110.    Melanerpes  carolinus  (LINN.). 

Bed-bellied  Woodpecker. 

"  A  rare  straggler." — (Merriam.) 


111.    Colaptes  auratus  (LINN.).  412. 

Flicker. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


112.    Antrostomus  vociferus  (WiLs.).  417. 

Whip-poor-\vlll. 

Mr.  J.  P.  Davis,  of  Utica,  killed  one  of  these  birds  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  town  of  Russia,  Herkimer  County,  and 
trustworthy  residents  of  the  same  town,  state  that  they  are  not 
uncommon  there. 


113.    Chordeiles  virginianus  (GMEL.).  420. 

Nlghthawk. 

A  common  summer  resident. 


THE   BIRDS    OF   ONEEDA   COUNTY.  125 


114.    Chaetura  pelagica  (LINN.). 

Chimney  Swift. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


115.  Trochilus  colubris  LINN.  428. 

Ruby-throated  Hummingbird. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 

116.  Tyranmis  tyrannus  (LINN.).  444. 

Kingbird. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


117.    Myiarchus  crinitus  (LINN.).  452. 

Crested  Flycatcher. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


118.    Sayornis  phcebe  (LATH.).  456. 

Phcebe. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


119.    Contopus  borealis  (SWAINS.).  459. 

Olive-sided  Flycatcher. 

Occurs   during   migrations.     "Breeds   in   Herkimer,  Hamilton 
and  Eastern  Lawis  Counties." — (Merriam.) 


120.    Contopus  virens  (LINN.).  461. 

"Wood  Pewee. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


126  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

121.    Empidonax  flaviventris  BAIRD.  463. 

Yellow-bellied   Flycatcher. 

A  not  common  summer  resident.  Breeds.  Nest  and  eggs 
taken  at  North  Lake  Reservoir,  Herkimer  County,  June  24th, 
1885.  Eggs  nearly  hatched.  Nest  composed  of  fine  grass,  roots, 
leaf-bud  scales  of  deciduous  trees,  and  inner  bark;  lined  with 
grass  and  fine  black  hair-like  roots.  It  was  sunk  in  a  mossy  bank, 
in  the  edge  of  thick,  heavy  timber.  Measured :  outside  diameter, 
3.50  inches;  inside  diameter,  2.50  inches;  depth  about  1.50  inches. 
The  eggs  were  so  far  advanced  as  to  make  it  impossible  to  save 
them,  and  therefore  no  measurements  can  be  given. 


122.    Empidonax  pusillus  tr a illii  (AuD.).  466«. 

Trail!**  Flycatcher. 

A  not  uncommon  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


123.    Empidonax  minimus  BAIHD.  467. 

Least  Flycatcher. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


1 24.    Otocoris  alpestris  praticola  HENSH.  4746. 

Prairie  Horned  Lark. 

Common  in  spring.  Breeds.  Mr.  Fred.  Davis  took  a  nest  in 
1878.  This  bird  has  become  comparatively  common  within  a  few 
years.  In  1877  one  was  considered  quite  a  rarity,  since  which 
time  they  have  become  more  abundant  yearly,  until  now  they 
appear  in  the  early  spring  in  large  flocks.  One  observed  in  March, 
1885,  numbered  fifty,  and  was  feeding  on  the  seeds  of  weeds 
which  rose  above  the  snow,  within  the  limits  of  the  city  of  Utica. 


125.    Cyanocitta  cristata  (LINN.).  477. 

Blue  Jay. 

A  common  resident.     Breeds. 


THE   BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    CODTSTTr.  127 

126.    Perisoreus  canadensis  (LINN.).  484. 

Canada  Jay. 

A  common  resident  in  Herkimer  and  Hamilton  Counties.  Young 
birds  in  the  dark  plumage,  shot  June  24th,  1880.  They  are  very 
familiar  and  amusing  about  the  camps  in  the  Adirondacks,  where 
they  have  various  names,  mostly  significant  of  their  sociable  and 
bold  character,  as  "Whiskey  Jack,"  "Meat  Hawk,"  "Moose 
Bird,"  <fcc. 


1 27.    Corvus  corax  sinuatus  (WAGL.).  486. 

American  Raven. 

A  common  resident  in  Herkimer  and  Hamilton  Counties,  and  in 
fact  throughout  the  Adirondack  region. 


128.    Corvus  americamis  Amx 

American  Crow. 

Common  all  the  year  round.     Breeds. 


129.    Dolichonyx  oryzivorus  (LINN.).  494. 

Bobolink. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.  Breeds.  A  nest  taken  some 
years  ago  contained  four  eggs,  pale  bluish  gray,  with  a  few  blackish 
marks  and  scratches  around  the  larger  end.  The  bird  was  taken 
with  the  nest,  and  the  eggs  are  still  preserved. 


130.    Molothrus  ater  (BODD.).  495. 

Cowblrd. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


128  ANNOTATED    LIST   OF 

131.    Agelaius  phceniceus  (LINN.). 

Red-winged  Blackbird. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


132.    Sturnella  magna  (LINN.).  501. 

Itleadowlark. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds.     Some  remain  till  very 
late  in  the  fall,  often  till  quite  winter  weather. 


133.    Icterus  galbula  (LINN.).  507. 

Baltimore  Oriole. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


134.    Scolecophagus  carolinus  (MULL.).  509. 

Rusty  Blackbird. 

Several  taken  in  the  County.  Breeds.  Two  nests  taken  May 
7th  and  20th,  1886,  four  miles  north  of  Wilmurt  P.  O.,  Herkimer 
County,  N".  Y.  They  were  placed  five  feet  from  the  ground,  in 
spruce  saplings,  in  open  marsh,  beside  a  pond,  in  the  heavy  timber; 
composed  of  hemlock  twigs  and  grass,  and  lined  with  fine  grasses, 
(some  of  which  were  green.)  Eggs  were  four,  pale  green,  faintly 
marked,  as  compared  with  others  of  the  same  family,  with 
different  shades  of  purplish  brown,  but  not  streaked.  They 
measured  1.03  x .72,  1.03  x. 74,  1.05  x  .72,  1.06  x. 74. 


135.    Quiscalus  quiscula  aeneus  (Rioow.).  511&. 

Bronzed  G ruckle. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.    -Breeds. 


THE    BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  129 

136.    Pinicola  enucleator  (LINN.).  515. 

Pine  Grosbeak. 

Winter  visitor.     Not  very  common. 


137.    Carpodacus  purpureus  (GMEL.).  517. 

Purple  Finch. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds.     Sometimes  winters. 


1 38.    Loxia  curvirostra  minor  (BREHM).  521. 

American  Crossbill. 

Seen  occasionally  in  winter.  Quite  common  as  far  south  as 
Holland  Patent  during  some  summers.  Very  common  in  summer 
in  Herkimer  and  Hamilton  Counties,  where  they  come  in  flocks 
around  the  hunters'  camps  and  gather  the  crumbs  literally  from 
under  the  table. 


139.    Loxia  leucoptera  GMKL. 

White-winged  Crossbill. 

A  winter  visitor,  but  much  less  common  than  the  preceding. 


140.    Acanthis  linaria  (LINN.). 

Redpoll. 

A  rare  winter  visitor. 


141.    Acanthis  linaria  rostrata  (CouES).  5286. 

Greater  Redpoll. 

Taken  at  Locust  Grove,  Lewis  County,  by  C.  H.  Merriam,  M.  D. 


130  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

142.    Spinus  tristis  (LINN.).  529. 

American  Goldfinch. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds.     Occasionally  winters. 


143.    Spinus  pinus  (WILS.).  533. 

Pine    sivkiii. 

Seen   occasionally  during  migrations.      "Sometimes  breeds  in 
great  numbers  along  the  outskirts  of  the  Adirondacks." — (Mer- 


144.    Plectrophenax  nivalis  (LINN.).  534. 

Snowflake. 

A  common  winter  visitor. 


145.    Pyrgita  domestica  Cuv.  ***. 

House  Sparrow. 

A  common  resident.  Breeds;  raising  several  broods  of  six 
young  each  in  a  season.  The  few  which  appeared  here  some  years 
ago  (coming  from  those  introduced  into  New  York),  have  in- 
creased to  the  hordes  which  now  overrun  the  city,  and  have 
extended  into  the  country  about.  They  have  driven  our  native 
insectivorous  birds  from  their  homes  in  our  gardens,  and  have 
filled  their  places  so  effectually  that  there  is  no  prospect  of  their 
ever  returning,  till  the  sparrows  have  been  exterminated,  or  at  the 
very  least  largely  reduced  in  numbers.  The  sparrows  have  been 
able  to  do  this,  partly  at  least,  by  the  assistance  of  mistaken 
lovers  of  birds,  who  have  built  them  houses  and  spread  food  for 
their  use.  Thus  directly  encouraging  a  bird,  undoubtedly  inju- 
rious, and  indirectly  assailing  the  birds  which  are  beneficial.  That 
the  public  has  gradually  come  to  see  its  mistake  there  is  no  doubt, 
and  the  hope  of  the  lovers  of  our  native  birds  is,  that  deprived  of 
protection  and  assistance,  these  foreign  pirates  may  find  it  more 
difficult  to  maintain  themselves  in  the  future,  and  that  when  the 
public  is  fully  educated  on  the  subject,  some  strong  measures  may 
be  taken  to  destroy  them. 


THE   BIEDS    OF    OXEIDA    COUNTY.  131 

146.    Poocaetes  gramineus  (GMEL.).  540. 

Vesper  Sparrow. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


147.    Ammodramus  sandwichensis  savanna  (WiLS.). 
Savanna  sparrow. 

A  not  uncommon  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


148.    Ammodramus  caudacutus  nelsoni  ALLEN.  549a. 

Nelson's  Sparrow. 

A  specimen  of  this  rare  sparrow  was  shot  near  Utica,  October 
12th  1883. 


149.    Zonotrichia  leucophrys  (FORST.).  554. 

White-crowned  Sparrow. 

A  not  uncommon  migrant. 


150.    Zonotrichia  albicollis  (GMEL.).  558. 

White-throated  Sparrow. 

A  common  migrant.  A  few  remain  during  the  summer.  Breeds. 
Xest  and  five  eggs,  somewhat  advanced,  taken  June  16th,  1886,  in 
Steuben. 


151.    SpizeUa  monticola  (GMEL.  ). 

Tree  Sparrow. 
A  very  common  migrant. 


132  ANNOTATED    LIST   OF 

152.    Spizella  socialis  (WIIA).  560. 

Chipping  Sparrow. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


153.    Spizella  pusilla  (WILS.). 

Field  Sparrow. 

A  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


154.    Junco  hy emails  (LINN.).  567. 

Slate-colored  Junco. 

A  very  common  migrant.  Common  summer  resident  in  Herki- 
mer  and  Hamilton  Counties.  Breeds.  A  nest  taken  June  28th, 
1880,  contained  two  perfectly  fresh  eggs  and  two  nearly  hatched. 


155.    Melospiza  fasciata  (GMBL.). 

Song   Sparrow. 

A  very  abundant  summer  resident.  Breeds.  Generally  one  of 
the  first  arrivals  in  the  spring,  often  preceding  the  robin  and  the 
bluebird. 


156.    Melospiza  lincolni  (AUD.).  583. 

Lincoln's  Sparrow. 

A  rather  rare  migrant.  Summer  resident  in  Herkimer  and 
Hamilton  Counties,  where  it  breeds.  On  the  13th  of  June,  1878, 
a  nest  of  this  species  was  taken  on  the  banks  of  a  little  pond 
dignified  with  the  name  of  "  Moose  Lake,"  and  situated  in  Hamil- 
ton County,  about  twenty  miles  northeast  of  Wilmurt  P.  O., 
Herkimer  County.  The  nest  was  placed  on  the  ground  where  it 
was  almost  spongy  with  water,  about  two  rods  from  the  pond,  and 
about  the  same  distance  from  the  edge  of  the  forest.  It  was  not 
under  the  protection  of  any  bush  or  stone,  but  was  quite  well 


THE    BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  133 

concealed  by  some  last  year's  grasses.  It  was  composed  entirely 
of  dry  grasses,  both  inside  and  out,  the  lining  being  neatly  made 
of  the  finer  spears;  and  contained  three  eggs,  a  few  days  advanced 
in  incubation.  These  measured  .74  x  .56  inches.  The  ground  was 
a  pale  greenish,  covered  with  spots  and  blotches  of  different  shades 
of  reddish  brown.  On  one  of  them  the  spots  were  so  numerous 
as  to  become  confluent  and  almost  conceal  the  ground-color,  while 
~on  another  they  were  much  smaller,  so  that  the  greenish  white  of 
the  ground-color  was  the  predominant  tint,  except  at  the  large 
end,  where  the  spots  became  larger  and  more  confluent,  as  indeed 
they  did  on  all  three. — (Recorded,  Bulletin  Nuttall  Ornithological 
Club,  Vol.  Ill,  page  198.) 

June  16th,  1881,  another  nest  of  this  species  was  taken  on 
"  Otter  Lake  "  or  pond,  about  half  a  mile  from  the  locality  of  the 
first.  The  nest  was  situated  almost  exactly  like  the  other,  in  wet 
spongy  ground  on  the  edge  of  the  pond;  not  under  any  bush  or 
weed  but  quite  well  concealed  by  last  year's  grasses.  Diameter, 
outside,  3.75  inches;  inside,  2  inches;  depth,  outside,  2.25  inches; 
inside,  1.75  inches.  It  was  composed  of  tine  grass  loosely  put 
together,  and  set  down  nearly  level  with  the  moss.  The  eggs, 
which  were  four,  slightly  advanced  in  incubation,  were  exactly 
like  those  taken  in  1878,  except  that  the  spots  of  reddish  brown 
were  rather  larger  and  more  marked. — (Recorded,  Bulletin  Nuttall 
Ornithological  Club,  Vol.  VI,  page  246.) 

In  both  cases  the  bird  was  taken,  positively  identified  and  pre- 
served. 


157.    Melospiza  georgiana  (LATH.).  584. 

Swamp  Sparrow. 

A  not  uncommon  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


158.    Passerella  iliaca  (MKKR.). 

Fox  Sparrow. 

A  not  common  migrant. 
M 


134  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

159.    Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  (LINN.).  587. 

Townee. 

One  was  taken  in  New  Hartford  October  20th,  1881. 


1 60.  Habia  ludoviciana  (LINN.).  595. 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 

161.  Passerina  cyanea  (LINN.X  598. 

Indigo  Bunting. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


162.    Piranga  erythromelas 

Scarlet  Tanager. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


163.  Progne  subis  (LINN.).  611. 

Purple  Martin. 

A  not  uncommon  summer  resident.     Breeds. 

164.  Petrochelidon  hmifrons  (SAY).  612. 

Cliff  Swallow. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 

165.  Chelidon  erythrogaster  (BODD.).  613. 

Barn   Swallow. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


THE    BIRDS    OP    ONEIDA    COUNTY.  135 

166.    Tachycineta  bicolor  (VIEILL.).  614. 

Tree  Swallow. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


167.    Clivicola  riparia  (LINN.).  616. 

Bank  Swallow. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


168.    Stelgidopteryx  serripennis  (AUD.).  617. 

Rough-winged  Swallow. 

Several  pairs  nested  in  the  abutments  of  the  bridge  across  the 
West  Canada  Creek  at  Trenton  Falls,  in  1886.  One  nest  which 
was  examined  June  19th,  contained  young. 


169.    Ampelis  garrulus  LINN.  618. 

Bohemian  Waxwlng. 

Messrs.  J.  P.  &  F.  J.  Davis  report  that  they  have  killed  them 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Utica  during  several  different  winters;  the 
former  having  killed  thirty-two  within  the  limits  of  the  city  in 
one  season. 


170.    Ampelis  cedromm  ( VIEILL.).  619. 

Cedar  Wax  wing. 

A  common  summer  resident.  Breeds.  Often  seen  during  win- 
ter feeding  on  Mountain  Ash  berries  in  the  yards  of  the  city. 
(See  coccyzus  erythrophthalmus.) 


171.    Lanius  borealis  VIEILL.  621. 

Northern  Shrike. 

A  not  uncommon  winter  visitor. 


136  ANNOTATED    LIST   OF 

172.     Lanius  ludovicianus  excubitorides  (  SWAINS.)'.  622«. 

White-romped  Shrike. 

A  not  uncommon  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


173.    Vireo  olivaceus  (LINN.). 

Red-eyed  Vireo. 

!r  A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


174.    Vireo  philadelphicus  (CASH.). 

Philadelphia  Vireo. 

One  taken  September  14th,  1880,  and  others  seen  at  the  same 
time. 


175.    Vireo  gilvus  (VIEILL.).  627. 

Warbling  Vireo. 

A  common  summer  resident.  Breeds.  Nests  taken  May  27th 
and  June  12th,  1886,  at  Holland  Patent  and  Trenton  Falls,  were 
near  the  tops  of  high  maple  shade  trees  in  villages. 


176.    Vireo  flavifrons  VIEILL.  628. 

Yellow-throated  Vireo. 

A  not  uncommon  summer  resident.  Breeds.  Nest  taken  May 
24tb,  1886,  in  the  Village  of  Holland  Patent,  in  maple  shade  tree, 
about  20  feet  above  the  sidewalk. 


177.    Vireo  solitarius  (WILS.).  629. 

Blue-headed  Vireo. 

Seen  occasionally.     Taken  September  26th,  1879,  and  September 
23d,  1880. 


THE   BIRDS    OF   ONEIDA    COUNTY.  137 


178.    Mniotilta  varia  (LINN.). 

Black  and  White  Warbler. 

A  not  uncommon  summer  resident. 


179.    Helminthophila  rancapilla  (WILS.).  645. 

Nashville  Warbler. 

Not  uncommon  during  migrations,  and  occasionally  breeds  near 
Holland  Patent. 


180.    Helminthophila  celata  (SAY).  646. 

Orange-crowned  Warbler. 

Rare.     One  taken  September  16th,  1880. 


181.    Helminthophila  peregrina  (Was.).  647. 

Tennessee   Warbler. 

"Not  rare  during  spring  migrations." — (Merriam.)     One  taken 
September  30th,  1879. 


182.    Compsothlypis  americana  (Lnw.).  648. 

Parula  Warbler. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


. 
183.    Dendroica  tigrina  (GMEL.).  650. 

Cape  may  Warbler. 

A  rare  migrant.  One  taken  at  Holland  Patent  some  years  ago, 
by  Mr.  William  Fowler,  of  that  place,  and  several  taken  in  the 
spring  of  1884  and  of  1885,  at  Fish  Creek*,  by  Mr.  A.  L.  Brainard, 
of  Oneida. 


138  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

184.    Dendroica  sestiva  (GMEL.).  652. 

W    W  ;•  i-l.l.-r. 


An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


185.    Dendroica  caemlescens  (GMEL.).  654. 

Black-throated  Blue  Warbler. 

Not  uncommon  during  migrations.  A  quite  local  summer 
resident  in  northern  part  of  the  County.  Breeds.  In  addition 
to  the  nest  recorded  in  the  Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornitho- 
logical Club,  Vol.  5,  page  233,  three  nests  have  been  taken, 
May  29th  and  June  14th,  1886,  near  Holland  Patent.  They  were 
all  placed  in  maple  bushes,  from  nine  inches  to  two  feet  from  the 
ground,  in  heavy  timber  grown  up  with  maple  brush.  They  were 
loose  structures,  placed  in  an  upright  fork,  and  composed  in  all 
three  cases  of  strips  of  rotten  wood  held  together  and  lined  with 
fine  black  roots,  and  in  one  case  further  secured  with  strips  of 
the  inner  bark  of  deciduous  trees,  and  measured,  outside  diameter, 
from  three  to  three  and  a  half  inches;  inside  diameter,  from  one 
and  three-quarters  to  two  and  a  quarter  inches ;  outside  depth, 
three  and  three-quarters  to  five  inches;  inside  depth,  one  and  a 
half  inches.  The  two  sets  of  eggs  which  seemed  normal,  consisted 
of  four  eggs  each,  one  set,  pinkish,  quite  heavily  marked  and 
blotched  with  dark  brownish  pink,  especially  at  the  larger  end, 
and  a  few  fine  marks  and  scratches  of  a  darker  color  ;  rather  blunt 
at  the  small  end,  and  large  for  the  bird,  measuring  .75  x  .54, 
.72x.55,  .76x.54,  .72  x  .52  inches.  The  other  set  was  white, 
rather  sparsely  marked  with  lilac  and  brown  spots  and  dots, 
heaviest  at  the  large  end.  In  shape  and  general  appearance  re- 
sembling a  Redstart's,  and  measured  .66  x.50,  .64x.51,  .66  x.51, 
64x.51. 


186.    Dendroica  coronata  (LINN.).  655. 

OTyrtle  Warbler. 

An  abundant  spring  and  fall  migrant.     "  Breeds  plentifully  in 
the  Adirondacks." — (Merriam.) 


THE  BIRDS  OF  ONEIDA  COUNTY.          139 

187.    Dendroica  maculosa  (GMEL).  657. 

Magnolia  Warbler. 

Quite  common  during  migrations.  A  few  remain  to  breed  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  County. 

Of  five  nests  found,  four  were  placed  in  evergreens,  from  six  to 
fifteen  feet  from  the  ground,  in  swampy  woods.  The  fifth  nest, 
taken  July  1st,  1886,  half  a  mile  north  of  Wilmurt  P.  O.,  Herki- 
mer  County,  was  placed  in  a  thick  deciduous  bush,  underneath  an 
evergreen,  in  a  clump  of  small  branches,  two  and  a  half  feet  from 
the  ground,  in  a  beaver  meadow  on  the  outer  edge  of  the  thick 
woods.  It  measured,  outside  diameter,  three  and  a  half  inches ; 
inside  diameter,  two  an  one-eighth  inches;  outside  depth,  one  and 
three-quarters  inches ;  inside,  seven-eighths  of  an  inch.  Composed 
of  dry  hemlock  twigs,  lined  with  fine,  black,  hair-like  roots.  The 
four  eggs  which  it  contained  were  white,  spott?d  and  blotched 
with  lilac  and  brown,  heaviest  at  the  larger  end,  and  measured, 
.67  x  .50,  .67  x  .50,  .66  x  .50,  .66  x  .50  inches. 


188.    Dendroica  pensylvanica  (LINK.).  659. 

Chestnut-side  Warbler. 

A  rather  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


189.    Dendroica  castanea   (Wits.).  660. 

Bay-breasted  Warbler. 

Several  shot  in  the  spring  of  1880. 

A  full-plumaged  female  was  taken  in  Hamilton  County,  August 
6th,  1886,  by  Messrs.  W.  P.  Shepard  and  Robt.  J.  Hughes. 


190.    Dendroica  striata  (FORST.). 

Black-poll  Warbler. 

Very  common  during  some  migrations. 


140  ANNOTATED    LIST    OF 

191.    Dendroica  blackburniae  (GMEL.).  662. 

Blackburnlaii  Warbler. 

A  not  uncommon  migrant.     A  few  remain  during  the  summer 
in  the  vicinity  of  Holland  Patent. 


192.    Dendroica  virens  (GMBL.).  667. 

Black-throated  Green  Warbler. 

A  quite  common  migrant.  Not  uncommon  summer  resident. 
Breeds.  Nests  taken  June  4th  and  26th,  1886.  Both  were 
placed  on  a  horizontal  branch  of  a  hemlock,  about  twenty 
feet  from  the  ground,  in  a  little  clump  of  branches,  but  riding  the 
horizontal  limb ;  one  on  the  edge  of  a  heavy  swamp,  and  the  other 
in  a  swampy  place  in  a  large  piece  of  very  heavy  timber.  The 
nests  were  beautifully  constructed,  strong,  compact  and  deep. 
The  outer  sides  about  perpendicular,  measuring,  outside  depth, 
2.25  to  2.50  inches;  inside,  1.50  inches;  outside  diameter,  3  to  3.50 
inches;  inside,  1.75  to  2  inches;  composed  of  green  moss,  birch 
bark,  spider  web,  feathers,  fine  dry  twigs  of  the  hemlock,  lined 
with  fine  strips  of  bark  and  hair.  The  eggs  were  rather  a  pointed 
oval;  one  set  of  three;  white  with  a  pinkish  shade,  marked  with 
fine  spots  of  darker  pink,  seeming  to  show  through,  and  quite 
strongly  marked  over  these  with  scattering  blotches  of  light  red- 
dish brown  with  much  darker  edges.  They  measured,  .65  x. 54, 
.64  x  .52,  .64  x  .52.  The  other  set  of  two  eggs  were  white,  strongly 
blotched,  especially  at  the  larger  end,  with  different  shades  of 
brown  and  lilac,  and  measured  .70  x  .53,  .70  x  .51  inches. 


193.  Dendroica  vigorsii  (AUD.).  671. 

Pine  Warbler. 

"Mr.  Dayan  (at  Lyons  Falls)  took  a  full-plumaged  male  D, 
pinus  at  Lyonsdale,  Lewis  County,  May  8th,  1877." — (Merriam, 
Preliminary  List  of  the  Birds  of  the  Adirondack  Region.} 

194.  Dendroica  palmamm  (GMEL.).  672. 

Palm  Warbler. 

"  Occurs  during  migrations." — (Merriam.} 


THE    BIRDS    OF   ONEIDA    COUNTY.  141 

195.    Seiurus  aurocapillus  (LINN.).  674. 

Oven-bird. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


196.    Seiurus  noveboracensis  (GMEL.).  675. 

Water-Thrush. 

Seen   occasionally   both    during    migrations,   and    during    the 
breeding  season. 


197.    G-eothlypis  agilis  (Was.).  678. 

Connecticut  «  arid.' i-. 
One  taken  September  18th,  1880,  and  one  September  8th,  1881. 


198.    Geothlypis  Philadelphia  (Wu,s.).  679. 

Mourning  Warbler. 

Not  common.     Most  often  se,en  during  breeding  season. 


199.    Geothlypis  trichas  (Lura.).  881. 

Maryland  Yellow-throat. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


200.    Sylvania  pusiUa  (Wn.8.). 

Wilson's  Wrarbler. 

Seen  occasionally  during  migrations. 
B 


142  ANNOTATED   LIST   OF 

201.    Sylvania  canadensis  (LINN.).  r>8G. 

Canadian  Warbler. 

Very  common  during  some  migrations.  A  common  summer 
resident  in  the  northern  part  of  the  County.  Breeds  quite  com- 
monly in  the  northern  part  of  the  County.  Quite  a  number  of 
nests  found,  were  all  on  the  ground,  except  one  taken  June  26th, 
1884,  near  Holland  Patent,  which  was  placed  about  18  inches  above 
the  ground,  in  a  cavity  in  the  top  of  a  slanting  stump,  which  was 
so  covered  with  vegetation  as  to  entirely  conceal  the  nest,  which 
was  composed  of  fine  grass,  hair-like  roots  and  a  few  pine  leaves. 
The  eggs  were  four  in  number,  white,  showing  rosy  before  blow- 
ing, covered  with  small  spots  of  different  shades  of  brown,  thicker 
at  the  larger  end,  and  measured  .69  x  .53,  .67  x  .53,  .67x.53, 
.67  x  .55,  inches. 


202.    Setophaga  riiticilla  (LINN.).  687. 

American  Redstart. 

A  common  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


203.    Anthus  pensilvanicus  (LATH.).  697. 

American  Pipit. 


Not  uncommon  during  migrations'. 


204.    G-aleoscoptes  carolinensis  (LINN.).  704 

Catbird. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


205.    Harporhynchus  mfus  (LINN.).  705. 

Brown  Tliraalier. 

Seen  occasionally.     Breeds.     Two  nests  were  taken  some  years 
ago  in  Deerfield,  about  two  miles  north  of  the  Mohawk  river. 


THE   BIRDS    OF    ONEIDA   COUNTY.  143 

206.    Troglodytes  aedon  VIEILL.  721. 

House  Wren. 

A  summer  resident ;  not  nearly  so  common  as  formerly.  Breeds. 


207.    Troglodytes  hiemalis  VIEILL.  722. 

•Winter  Wren. 

Not  uncommon.  Breeds.  A  female  taken  at  Utica,  May  17th, 
1879,  contained  an  egg  fully  developed  except  the  shell,  which 
was  still  soft.  During  the  summer  of  1885  thirteen  nests  were 
found  near  Holland  Patent,  and  the  birds  were  watched  while 
building  twelve  of  them,  and  not  one  of  these  was  occupied.  The 
thirteenth  nest  contained  six  eggs  when  found.  One  of  these 
nests,  which  was  built  but  not  occupied  in  1885,  was  occupied 
during  1886,  and  a  brood  of  young  raised  in  it.  A  nest  taken 
July  16th,  1885,  (undoubtedly  a  second  laying,  as  a  nest  was  found 
with  young  in  May,)  two  miles  north  of  Holland  Patent,  was 
placed  under  the  roots  of  a  fallen  tree,  in  a  small  cavity  in  the 
roots,  about  two  feet  above  the  ground,  composed  of  moss,  hem- 
lock twigs,  roots  and  pieces  of  rotten  wood,  and  lined,  first  with 
fine  grass  and  then  with  grouse  feathers  and  horse  hair ;  a  compact 
mass  of  material,  filling  the  cavity,  and  containing  in  its  centre  a 
cosy  nest,  to  which  entrance  was  obtained  by  a  small  round  open- 
ing in  the  side.  The  eggs,  six  in  number,  were  white,  rather 
evenly  marked  with  small  spots  and  dots  of  reddish  brown,  and 
measured,  .67  x  .50,  .67  x  .49,  .65  x  .49,  .67  z  .50,  .63  x  .47,  inches. 


208.    Cistothorus  stellaris  (LICHT.).  724 

sh<.rt-MIle<l  .Tlai-wli  Wren. 

"  Mr.  Romeyn  B.  Hough  shot  two  females  of  this  wren,  October 
27th,  1877,  in  the  town  of  New  Bremen,  in  Lewis  County,  and 
writes  me  that  he  is  'confident  that  they  breed  there  every 
year.'  "—(Merriam.  Preliminary  List  of  the  Birds  of  the  Adi- 
rondack Region.) 


144  ANNOTATED    LIST   OF 

209.    Cistothoms  palustris  (Wn.s.).  725. 

Long-billed  .Marsh   u  r« n. 

One  taken  at  Utica,  September  23d,  1880.  This  bird  is  very 
common  and  breeds  plentifully  on  the  marshes  of  the  Seneca  River, 
where  we  have  observed  it.  Its  peculiar  habit  of  building  several 
nests  for  every  one  occupied,  has  been  noted  by  others ;  and  while 
we  kept  no  accurate  record,  our  experience  is  that  the  number  of 
unoccupied  nests  is  at  least  six  or  eight  for  every  occupied  one. 
It  would  seem  probable,  from  the  notes  above,  that  this  strange 
custom  is  also  practiced  by  its  sprightly  little  cousin,  the  Winter 
Wren. 


210.    Certhia  familiaris  americana  (BONAP.).  726. 

Brown  Creeper. 

A  not  uncommon  migrant.  Seen  on  several  occasions  in  the 
vicinity  of  Holland  Patent  during  the  breeding  season.  A  sum- 
mer resident  in  Herkimer  and  Hamilton  Counties.  Breeds.  A 
nest  was  taken  by  C.  F.  Carpenter,  C.  E.,  in  Hamilton  County, 
about  twenty  miles  northeast  of  Wilmurt  P.  O.,  Herkimer  County, 
N..  Y.,  July  28th,  1875.  The  nest  was  in  a  heavy  forest,  concealed 
behind  a  piece  of  bark  which  had  been  partly  torn  loose  from  the 
side  of  a  spruce  tree,  about  six  feet  from  the  ground,  but  which 
still  remained  attached  to  the  tree  by  the  upper  end. 

Mr.  Carpenter  describes  the  nest  as  "  made  of  soft  downy  ma- 
terials, including  feathers  and  such  soft  materials  as  you  will  find 
in  a  squirrel's  nest.  The  whole  bulk  not  larger  than  your  fist." 
It  contained  three  young  birds  with  down  only  in  tufts  upon  them, 
and  two  addled  eggs,  white,  thinly  marked  with  fine  reddish  dots 
or  spots,  and  measuring  respectively  .60  x  .47,  and  .59  x  .47  inches. 
Such  situation,  under  a  loose  piece  of  bark,  is  the  usual  if  not  the 
invariable  one  for  the  nest  of  this  species,  as  all  nests  found  have 
been  so  placed. — (Recorded,  Bulletin  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club, 
Vol.  VI.  page  183.) 


211.    Sitta  carolinensis  LATH.  727. 

White-breasted  Nuthatch. 

A  common  resident.     Breeds. 


THE   BIRDS    OF   ONEIDA   COUNTY.  145 

212.    Sitta  canadensis  LINN.  728. 

Red-breasted   Nuthatch. 

Seen  occasionally  throughout  the  County  during  migrations,  and 
in  the  northern  part  during  the  breeding  season.  Breeds.  Nest 
taken  May  14th,  18S6,  at  Trenton  Falls,  contained  five  eggs, 
nearly  hatched.  The  hole  was  four  inches  deep  and  fifty  feet  from 
the  ground,  in  the  dead  top  of  an  ash,  in  a  swamp.  There  were 
quantities  of  gum  about  the  hole  and  running  down  the  tree. 
The  nest  was  composed  of  strips  of  bark,  a  little  moss  and  a  few 
feathers.  The  eggs  closely  resembled  those  of  the  white  breasted, 
except  in  size,  averaging  .62  x  .47  inches. 


213.    Paras  atricapillus  LINN.  735. 

Chickadee. 

Abundant  summer  and  winter.  Breeds.  This  is  the  most  com- 
mon of  our  winter  birds,  but  we  are  unwilling  even  to  hazard  an 
opinion  as  to  whether  the  birds  of  winter  are  the  same  ones  which 
are  with  us  in  summer,  or  are  migrants  from  further  north. 


214.    Parus  hudsonicus  FOKST.  740. 

Hudsoiiiaii  Chickadee* 

Dr.  Merriam  has  found  this  species  breeding  in  TIerkimer  and 
Hamilton  Counties,  where  it  is  very  local. 


215.    Regulus  satrapa  LICHT.  748. 

Golden-crowned  Kinglet. 


A  common  migrant. 


216.    Regulus  calendula  (LINN.).  749, 

Ruby-crowned  Kinglet. 

A  common  migrant. 


146  ANNOTATED   LIST   OF 

217.    Turdus  mustelinus  QMEL.  755. 

Wood  Th  rush. 

A  quite  common  summer  resident.      Breeds. 


218.    Turdus  fuscescens  STEPH.  756. 

Wilson's  Thrush. 

An  abundant  summer  resident.     Breeds. 


219.  Turdus  aliciae  BAIKD.  757. 

Gray-cheeked  Thrush. 

" Common  migrant." — (Merriam.) 


220.    Turdus  aliciae  bicknelli  (Rioow.).  757a. 

lti.kii.-ll-*  Thrush. 

"In  my  cabinet  is  a  specimen  of  this  recently  described  thrush, 
which  I  shot  in  Lewis  County  *  *  *  *  May  24,  1873.  It  is  a 
male  of  the  preceding  year  *  .*  *  " — (Merriam.  Preliminary 
List  of  the  Birds  of  the  Adirondack  Region.} 


221.    Turdus  ustulatus  swainsonii  (CAB.).  758a. 

Olive-backed  Thrush. 

A  not  uncommon  migrant.  An  abundant  summer  resident  in 
Herkimer  and  Hamilton  Counties.  Breeds.  Nest  taken  June 
13th,  1876,  between  Deer  and  Otter  Lakes,  about  twenty  miles 
northeast  of  Wilmurt  P.  O.,  Herkimer  County ;  was  built  about 
seven  feet  from  the  ground  in  a  small  spruce,  and  lined  entirely 
with  black  fibrous  roots,  resembling  horsehair.  The  eggs  were 
four,  .83  x  .65  inches,  green,  spotted  with  reddish. 


THE   BIEDS   OF   01STEIDA   COUNTY.  147 

222.    Turdus  aonalaschkse  pallasii  (CAB.).  7596. 

Hermit  Thrush. 

A  quite   common    summer  resident   in   northern   part   of   the 
County.     Breeds.     Very  common  during  migrations. 


223.    Merula  migratoria  (LTNH.).  761. 

American  Robin. 

A  very  abundant  summer   resident.      Breeds.     Some  are  seen 
almost  every  winter.        j, 


224.    Sialia  sialis  (LINN.).  766. 

Bluebird. 

An   abundant   summer   resident.     Breeds.     A  nest  taken  con- 
taining four  pure  white  eggs. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


Form  L9 — 15m-10,'48(B1039)444 


,L  Halph  - 

•81;        Annotated  list  I 

of  Oneida 


000872445     2 


31 

681; 
N7R13 


